How Many Days Should You Spend in the Colombian Amazon

Wondering how many days are recommended for visiting the Colombian Amazon? In this quick guide, we explain how to decide the ideal length of stay based on flight schedules, river season, and the kind of experiences you want to have between Colombia, Peru, and Brazil.

Ideal days and how to decide

The optimal length depends on your arrival time and the river season. In general, we recommend 4 full days of touring to combine boating, rainforest, indigenous communities, and wildlife watching. If you have less time, a 3-day format works very well too.

• Arriving before 12:00 — tour starts the same day at 14:00, ends on day 4 at 17:00: 4 days recommended.
• Arriving after 14:00 — tour starts the next day at 07:00, ends on day 4 at 17:00: 5 days recommended (with an extra night in Leticia).
• Only 3 free days — tour starts on day 1 at 14:00 or day 2 at 07:00, ends on day 3 at 17:00: 3 days.

• Guía para planificar tu viaje al Amazonas

Flights: deciding when to start the tour

If your flight arrives in Leticia before noon, you can start the tour at 14:00. If you land after 14:00, start the next day at 07:00. For your return, prioritize flights after 11:00 if the tour ends at 09:00, or night flights if it ends at 17:00.

Check schedules and availability directly with the airlines: Avianca (avianca.com) and LATAM Airlines (latamairlines.com).

Where to sleep in Leticia and the rainforest

If your tour starts very early, it is best to sleep in Leticia (near the port). For a more immersive experience, spend 1-2 nights in Puerto Nariño or in nature reserve eco-lodges (less cell signal, more nature).

• Guía de hospedaje en Leticia

River seasons and their impact

High water (December to June): more boating and flooded rainforest; ideal for 4 days. Low water (July to November): more hiking and river beaches; we suggest 3-4 days. Note: during high water, Santa Rosa may flood partially, but restaurants and shops sit on stilts and operate normally.

Vaccines and safety

• Yellow fever — highly recommended (ideally 10 days ahead). Not required to enjoy Leticia, but bring your certificate if you have it.
• Travel insurance — choose assistance coverage (e.g., medical evacuation).
• Water and food — drink purified water (tours include it).
• Mosquitoes — use DEET repellent and light long-sleeved clothing.
• Safety — Leticia and Tabatinga are quiet; avoid isolated areas at night.

Budget guide (2025)

• Leticia airport fee — 50,000 COP.
• Puerto Nariño fee — 25,000 COP.
• 2D/1N tour — from 950,000 COP.
• 3D/2N tour — from 1,550,000 COP.
• 4D/3N tour — from 2,000,000 COP.

Bring cash in COP. Thanks to Starlink, several lodgings accept cards, but in the communities cash is still king.

• Colombia.travel – Amazonas

What to pack and connectivity

• Light long-sleeved clothing, lightweight pants, and comfortable footwear.
• Repellent, sunscreen, a poncho, and a headlamp.
• Dry bags for gear; a power bank.
• Documents for crossing into Brazil/Peru within the border zone.

Connectivity: Leticia has signal (Claro/Tigo). In the rainforest, signal is limited; several lodges have Starlink, but confirm with your operator/guide before traveling.

• Qué empacar para tu viaje al Amazonas

Live the triple border experience

Have breakfast in Leticia (Colombia), lunch in Santa Rosa (Peru), and dinner in Tabatinga (Brazil) in the same day.

• 3-country plan: Visit Peru, Colombia, and Brazil in one day

In short, now you know how many days are recommended for visiting the Colombian Amazon: usually 4 days; 3 if you are tight on time, and 5 if your flight arrives late or you want more downtime.